Kojic

Kojic Soap, and Kojic Acid in particular, have made great strides in past few years. While it's a huge product in Asia, it is quite uknown here in the U.S. You could it say it's Asia's best kept secret. However, like mentioned earlier, Kojic has made great strides here in the Western World. Here's what Miguel Cavazos has to say about it in his piece from Livestrong.com.

Kojic Acid & Vitamin C

. Photo Credit Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images 

 Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, was discovered 70 years ago to treat scurvy, a disease that causes fatigue, anemia and gum disease. A Science Daily article reports that research by the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology suggests that vitamin C may enhance skin regeneration. The Internal Medicine News reports that kojic acid may help to treat skin conditions such as pigment disorders, melasma and wrinkes.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is essential because your body does not produce or store it and you must get this nutrient in your diet. Vitamin C supports growth and repair processes in tissues throughout your body. Your body uses vitamin C to maintain healthy skin, connective tissues and blood vessels.

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Kojic Acid

Kojic acid is an organic acid produced naturally during aerobic fermentation in fungi such as penicillium. Aerobic fermentation is a set of metabolic processes that requires oxygen, which occurs in plants and fungi. Substances that derive from kojic acid include kojic dipalmitate and kojic esters. According to the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, kojic acid has industrial applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

Antioxidant

Vitamin C and kojic acid are antioxidants. The environment and natural processes in your body produce unstable substances known as free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells throughout your body. This activity may contribute to cancer, heart disease and age-related degenerative conditions. Antioxidants are substances that can help to protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.

Skin

Your body uses vitamin C to make collagen, which is protein your body uses to make skin cells. Your skin may become dry and scaly if your diet does not have enough vitamin-C. Wounds may also heal slower if you have a vitamin C deficiency. Cosmetic and topical skin products may contain vitamin C or kojic acid. A study in "Experimental Dermatology" reports that a skin lotion with vitamin C can help to improve sun-damaged skin. Kojic acid can provide the basic material for skin whitening and skin protection products like creams, soap and lotions. Kojic acid may block the production of pigment in your skin cells and reduce the appearance of dark spots or freckles on your skin.

Food

Vitamin C and kojic acid have applications in the food industry. Flavor enhancers such as miso and soy sauce require kojic acid. Kojic acid helps to prevent the formation of brown spots on raw noodles during storage and processing. Strawberry producers may use kojic acid to promote reddening of unripe strawberries. All fruit and vegetables contain vitamin C. Higher concentrations of vitamin C may occur in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables. Fruits that contain a lot of vitamin C include strawberries, oranges and papaya. Turnip greens, spinach and potatoes are vitamin C rich vegetables.

References

• European Commission: Opinion on Kojic Acid
• Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Reviews: Applications and Development of Fermentation Proces
• UMM: Vitamin C
• Medline Plus: Antioxidant
• Pub Med: Topical Ascorbic Acid On Photoaged Skin.
• Internal Medicine News: Kojic Acid Perspective

Original post by Miguel Cavazos at Livestrong.com

What is Kojic Soap?

By Sabah Karimi, eHow Contributor  

Kojic acid soap is used as a skin-lightening agent for people who may have sunspots, freckles and other forms of pigmentation on their face, hands and neck. There are several types of Kojic acid soap brands available, and the formulation can be used on its own or as part of a skin lightening facial treatment.

Kojic acid skincare products have been used for decades in the Philippines and the Far East for their skin lightening benefits. The definition of beauty for cultures outside the Western world consists of fair, even toned skin, so many women resort to using skin-lightening products, such as Kojic acid soap, to achieve a lighter skin tone. Kojic acid skincare products are made with natural ingredients and work primarily as a deep exfoliating treatment.

Kojic acid is considered a very important ingredient for cosmetics. It is used to lighten pigment spots and skin discoloration and considered as a popular inhibitor for melanin. Kojic is used in various kinds of cosmetic therapies for acne, freckles, sunburn, eczema, skin blemishes and other skin problems. The quest for light, even-toned skin is an age-old pursuit, dating as far back as when Cleopatra immersed herself in milk to achieve the beautiful, radiant skin that had men fighting over her. 

Kojic acid was derived from a mushroom and has been used in several skincare and anti-aging products as a natural ingredient for lightening skin pigmentation. Kojic acid soaps are typically made with a combination of natural skin lightening fruit acid and papaya extract that work by softening the skin and creating a luminous, healthy glow.

Function

Kojic acid soap is primarily an exfoliating skin product that slowly gets rid of pigmentation and dark spots by buffing away the damaged skin cells. The enzymes in Kojic acid soaps help to break down the top layer of skin cells and peel away damaged skin, revealing the fresh and healthy cells underneath. This soap can be used as a regular bath soap all over the body, as a shaving foam for the face and neck, or just on the face to even out the skin tone.

 

Benefits

Using Kojic acid soap on a regular basis may help reduce the appearance of age spots, eliminate or reduce freckles, reduce or eliminate skin discoloration from pregnancy and strengthen cell activity. Many Japanese men and women use the soap as part of their regular facial regimen so that the skin stays soft and vibrant. Kojic acid also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

 

Warnings

Kojic acid soap can be irritating to sensitive skin types and may cause redness, itchiness, inflammation and tenderness. It's important to use only a small amount on the arms as a trial to make sure the skin does not undergo an adverse reaction. Extra moisturizer and skin soothing serums may be necessary after using a Kojic acid soap, as these will replenish lost moisture and help the skin heal faster. People who use Kojic acid soap regularly need to avoid using skincare products that contain salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy or retinol, because these can aggravate the skin.